Scott's call for higher school funding draws charges of politics

TALLAHASSEE _ Facing criticism over education cuts in his first term and in the middle of a tough re-election fight, Gov. Rick Scott announced today he will push for a record per-student funding level for public schools next year if he is re-elected in November.

The timing of funding announcement is unusual since governors typically make their annual budget recommendations roughly 45 days before the start of the annual spring session, although various components of the budget proposal are often announced in advance.

But with former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is Scott’s likely Democratic opponent, attacking Scott over his education cuts, the governor said today he will push for a $232 per student increase, bringing the total _ if approved by the Legislature _ to $7,176 per student. It would surpass the prior funding record _ set by Crist’s administration _ by $50.

“I am proud to announce that in the upcoming legislative session we will propose an increase in Florida’s per-pupil spending to the highest level in our state’s history,” Scott said in a statement. “We already have the highest total spending in K-12 this year and gave every teacher the opportunity for a pay raise. Because we were able to get Florida’s economy back on track, revenues are now projected to stay at a strong enough rate to support historic investments in education.”

“Florida job growth, and the overall growth of Florida’s economy has made it possible for us invest record amounts in education,” Scott added. “The credit for our historic investment in education goes to the hard working people of Florida who make it all possible.”

Crist’s allies decried the political motivation behind Scott’s move.

“The governor has a four-year record on spending for public education and it isn’t pretty,” Andy Ford, head of the Florida Education Association, said in a statement. “In his first year in office, the Legislature slashed spending for public education by $1.3 billion, though the governor proposed a much bigger cut. That resulted in a per-student spending cut of more than $600 per student.”

“As his bid for re-election has drawn nearer, he has begun to seek restoration of some of those cuts, though per-student spending in Florida is still lower than it was seven years ago,” Ford added. “This proposal, which would have to be approved by the Legislature long after November’s election, seems very much like a desperate attempt to win votes to cover his record of neglect of public school students.”

Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief.
He can be reached by email or call 850 556-3542.
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Last modified: August 21, 2014
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